A recent collision on the Tomsk-Mariinsk highway drew regional attention after a video circulated on the Mash Siberia Telegram channel. The clip shows an ambulance moving with its lights flashing, seemingly pursuing a call along a curving stretch of road before a sudden impact on a bend. The moment of impact appears to involve a KamAZ truck sharing the lane, and the crash resulted in severe damage to both vehicles. In the immediate aftermath, the ambulance and the truck were pushed to the shoulder, suggesting that drivers may have reacted instinctively to avoid a direct head-on collision at the last moment.
Officials confirmed that all four occupants inside the ambulance perished at the scene due to the ensuing fire. The deceased were identified as Alla Karmanova, who held a senior role in obstetrics and gynecology care, Yury Bochkov, who led the anesthesiology and intensive care unit, nurse Natalya Ivanova, and driver Mikhail Krinitsyn. Their losses are mourned by colleagues and the communities they served. The fire complicates efforts to determine the exact sequence of events, but investigators are prioritizing a review of who was responsible for the ambulance’s speed and position on a highway known for sharp bends and variable weather conditions.
The KamAZ operator survived with injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Police and emergency responders are conducting a formal investigation to establish the factors that contributed to the crash, including whether traffic conditions, vehicle maintenance, or human decisions on the road played a role. Local authorities have urged motorists to exercise heightened caution on curves and to maintain safe following distances, especially when emergency vehicles are in proximity and operating their warning systems.
In the same region, another report notes a separate incident in the village of Chirikovo, where a driver lost control and left the roadway into a construction ditch that contained workers. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about road safety, worker protection, and the need for clear traffic management around construction sites. Investigators are reviewing measurements from the scene, traffic patterns, and any available surveillance to piece together a broader picture of safety risks on rural highways and near work zones.